Maldives condemns deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh airport

The Maldives on Sunday strongly condemned the deadly attack by Yemen’s Houthis on the King Khalid International airport near Saudi capital, Riyadh, which killed at least 12 people.

The attack on Saturday killed at least four Saudi citizens and two Bangladeshis, along with one person each from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt.

At least 309 more people were wounded.

The Maldivian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Sunday condemning the deadly attack, noting the loss of lives and injuries to hundreds of civilians.

“The targeting of civilians and vital infrastructure constitutes a serious violation of international law and poses a grave threat to the security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider region,” said the Foreign Ministry.

The Maldives extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Saudi Arabia and to the families of the victims, and wished the injured a swift recovery.

“The Maldives reaffirms its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its security, sovereignty and the safety of its citizens and residents,” added the Foreign Ministry.

The attack marked the third assault by the Houthis on the international airport last week. Houthi attacks on King Khalid airport on Thursday killed at least three Saudi citizens, including a pilot.

The attacks come as fighting intensified in Yemen, with forces loyal to the country’s internationally recognized government fighting the Iran-backed Houthis for control of the country.

Saudi Arabia has waged an air campaign in support of the Yemeni government’s ground war and claimed hundreds of strikes on Houthi-held territory, including the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

The Houthis have warned airliners should avoid Saudi airspace, declaring it a zone of military operations after the Yemeni government launched an offensive against the group on Monday.

It said any aircraft operating there – except over the holy cities of Mecca and Medina – is a target.